EP4283458A1 - Kommunikationsvorrichtung, steuerungsverfahren, computerprogramm und speichermedium - Google Patents

Kommunikationsvorrichtung, steuerungsverfahren, computerprogramm und speichermedium Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4283458A1
EP4283458A1 EP23174671.0A EP23174671A EP4283458A1 EP 4283458 A1 EP4283458 A1 EP 4283458A1 EP 23174671 A EP23174671 A EP 23174671A EP 4283458 A1 EP4283458 A1 EP 4283458A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
subscription service
processing
image forming
forming apparatus
printing apparatus
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23174671.0A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Taishi MASUMITSU
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP4283458A1 publication Critical patent/EP4283458A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/55—Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/126—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/02—Counting the number of copies; Billing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/60—Protecting data
    • G06F21/606—Protecting data by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
    • G06F21/608—Secure printing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1205—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1236—Connection management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1239—Restricting the usage of resources, e.g. usage or user levels, credit limit, consumables, special fonts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/34—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
    • H04N1/344—Accounting or charging based on type of function or service used, e.g. copying, faxing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a communication apparatus, a control method, a computer program and a storage medium.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-110775 discusses a technique in which, in a case of an image forming apparatus unable to communicate with a server that manages contract information, a restriction is put on printing by the image forming apparatus that uses subscription service-specific consumables.
  • a further improvement of convenience has been desired of the flat rate services for using a printing apparatus.
  • a printing apparatus as specified in claims 1 to 12.
  • a method for controlling a printing apparatus as specified in claim 13.
  • a computer program as specified in claim 14.
  • a storage medium as specified in claim 15.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the image processing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 200, a server 500, and a host terminal 600.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 includes an image forming apparatus main body 300 that performs a print operation using a recording agent, and a cartridge 400 that can be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 300 to charge ink to be used as the recording agent.
  • the image forming apparatus main body 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 310, a program memory 320, a data memory 330, a communication control unit 340, a print control unit 350, a printing unit 360, and a connection unit 370.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • the CPU 310 is a system control unit and controls entire operation of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the program memory 320 stores a control program and a built-in operating system (OS) program that are executed by the CPU 310.
  • OS operating system
  • the data memory 330 includes an image memory 331 and a contract information storage unit 332.
  • the data memory 330 stores program control variables, and includes various work buffer areas that the print control unit 350 uses in processing.
  • the image memory 331 accumulates image data processed by an image processing unit (not illustrated).
  • the contract information storage unit 332 stores subscription service contract information received by the image forming apparatus main body 300 via the communication control unit 340. Subscription services will be described below.
  • the subscription service contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 is any one of the following pieces of information: information indicating a subscription service contract unconcluded state in which no subscription service contract is concluded, information indicating a consumable subscription service contract concluded state, and information indicating a main body-included subscription service contract concluded state.
  • the communication control unit 340 controls data exchange with outside via a communication line 390 and various interfaces.
  • the print control unit 350 obtains print data from the image memory 331, and controls print processing via the printing unit 360.
  • the printing unit 360 performs print processing in response to receipt of a print instruction from the print control unit 350.
  • the print control unit 350 transmits print information to the server 500.
  • the print information refers to a log in which a job mode, such as a copy job and a print job, the amount of printing, and print results are summarized (hereinafter, referred to as a print record log).
  • the print control unit 350 generates the print information in units of jobs that involve a print operation, and transmits the generated print information to the server 500 via the communication control unit 340.
  • the printing unit 360 determines whether the subscription service-specific cartridge is used, and transmits a result of the determination to the print control unit 350.
  • Determination of whether a job is a mode of job involving a print operation is performed based on identification information contained in the job data.
  • the identification information indicates whether the job is a print job, a copy job, a scan job, or a facsimile (FAX) transmission job.
  • FAX facsimile
  • the identification information indicates a print job or a copy job
  • the identification information indicates a scan job or a FAX transmission job
  • the determination of whether the job is a mode of job involving a print operation can be performed based on whether processing of job data instructed to be executed by the user is print processing. In other words, determination can be performed based on whether processing of corresponding job data involves a print operation. For example, in a case where the user presses a print execution button or a copy execution button, it can be determined that processing of the corresponding job data involves a print operation. In a case where the user presses a scan execution button or a FAX transmission execution button, it can be determined that processing of the corresponding job data does not involve a print operation.
  • a job involving a print operation thus means that processing of the job data involves a print operation.
  • a job not involving a print operation means that processing of the job data does not involve a print operation.
  • connection unit 370 connects the image forming apparatus main body 300 and the cartridge 400.
  • the connection unit 370 reads information about the cartridge 400 from a memory 410, and provides the information about the cartridge 400 in response to an information acquisition request from the printing unit 360.
  • the foregoing components 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, and 370 are connected to each other via a CPU bus 380 managed by the CPU 310.
  • the cartridge 400 includes the memory 410.
  • the memory 410 records first cartridge information for identifying the cartridge 400, second cartridge information indicating remaining ink level information, and third cartridge information that is used for determining whether the cartridge 400 is a subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • the first cartridge information is a serial number assigned when the cartridge 400 has been manufactured.
  • the second cartridge information is information about the remaining level of ink in the cartridge 400.
  • the second cartridge information can be expressed in units of volume or in remaining levels graded by predetermined thresholds.
  • the third cartridge information is used for determination of whether the cartridge 400 is a commercially available one (cartridge other than a subscription service-specific cartridge; hereinafter, referred to as a normal cartridge) or a subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • the third cartridge information can have parameters different between the cartridge 400 as a consumable subscription service-specific cartridge and the cartridge 400 as a main body-included subscription service-specific cartridge, or have the same parameter.
  • the cartridge 400 can be any cartridge that charges the recording agent to be used for printing and is detached from the connection unit 370 for replacement.
  • the cartridge 400 is thus not limited to an ink cartridge but can be a toner cartridge, for example.
  • the server 500 includes a CPU 510, a program memory 520, a service information storage unit 530, and a communication control unit 540.
  • the CPU 510 is a system control unit and controls entire operation of the server 500.
  • the program memory 520 stores a control program, a built-in OS program, and the like that are executed by the CPU 510.
  • the service information storage unit 530 stores information about the user having a subscription service contract, identification information (such as a serial number) about the image forming apparatus 200 for use in the subscription service, and print information collected from print record logs transmitted from the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the communication control unit 540 controls data exchange with outside via a communication line 560.
  • the foregoing components 510 to 540 are connected to each other via a CPU bus 550 managed by the CPU 510.
  • the host terminal 600 is a communication device (information processing apparatus) capable of connecting to a network and communicating with the server 500.
  • An example of the host terminal 600 is a smartphone.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 is described as a printer (printing apparatus), the image forming apparatus 200 can be applied to an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam (electrophotographic) printer (laser beam printer), and a monochrome printer.
  • the host terminal 600 is described as a smartphone, this is not restrictive.
  • various devices such as a mobile terminal, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a digital camera, can be applied as the information processing apparatus.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • the consumable subscription service has been known as a service in which consumables (such as ink, toner, and sheets) for use in printing are available at a flat rate to the user owning the image forming apparatus 200
  • the main body-included subscription service has been known as a service in which the image forming apparatus main body 300, which is a service-specific apparatus, and consumables for use in printing are usable at a flat rate by the user.
  • the consumable subscription service refers to a service in which the user having a contract for the subscription service can print up to a predetermined number of sheets using an ink cartridge provided by the service provider (hereinafter, a subscription service-specific cartridge) on an image forming apparatus main body 300 purchased (owned) by himself/herself.
  • a subscription service-specific cartridge provided by the service provider
  • the predetermined number of sheets printable per month is 100
  • printing up to 100 sheets can be performed using the cartridge provided by the service provider with the image forming apparatus 200 in a state in which the image forming apparatus main body 300 and the server 500 are connected to each other.
  • the main body-included subscription service is a service in which up to a predetermined number of sheets can be printed using a cartridge provided by the service provider with the image forming apparatus main body 300 provided by the service provider. For example, in a case where the predetermined number of sheets printable per month is 100, printing up to 100 sheets can be performed using the cartridge provided by the service provider and the image forming apparatus main body 300, which is a service-specific apparatus, in a state in which the image forming apparatus main body 300 and the server 500 are connected to each other.
  • the main body-included subscription service covers the fee of the image forming apparatus main body 300 with its flat rate.
  • the user After cancellation of the contract for the main body-included subscription service, the user returns the image forming apparatus main body 300 provided by the service provider to the service provider.
  • the service provider can provide a cartridge with an extra fee.
  • the user of the subscription services After cancellation of the contract for the subscription services, the user of the subscription services returns the consumables provided by the service provider to the service provider.
  • the information about the image forming apparatus main body 300 under the subscription service contract or the image forming apparatus main body 300 for use in the subscription service is managed by the server 500 of the vendor (service provider) providing the subscription service (server outside the image forming apparatus main body 300).
  • the precondition for the user to use the subscription service is thus that the image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the network to enable communication with the server 500 so that print record information is transmitted to the service provider's server.
  • a case where the image forming apparatus 200 is in the subscription service contract concluded state refers to a state where the image forming apparatus 200 can communicate with the server 500.
  • an offline state refers to a state where the image forming apparatus 200 is not connected to the server 500.
  • An online state refers to a state where the image forming apparatus 200 is connected to the server 500.
  • the network connection of the image forming apparatus 200 to establish the connection with the server 500 is the precondition for the user to use the subscription services, the user can sometimes be unable to connect the image forming apparatus 200 to the network because of the service provider (for example, due to a server outage). For such a reason, there is provided a function of enabling job printing up to a certain number of sheets even without the network connection of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the number of sheets printed using a subscription-specific cartridge with the image forming apparatus 200 being offline will be referred to as a number of sheets printed offline.
  • the foregoing certain number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets printed offline (hereinafter, an upper limit number of offline printable sheets).
  • the number of sheets printed offline is a value recorded in the data memory 330 and has an initial value of zero (0).
  • Achieving a service use condition thus refers to a case where the upper limit number of offline printable sheets is not exceeded.
  • Not achieving the service use condition (when the service use condition is unachieved) refers to a case where the upper limit number of offline printable sheets is exceeded.
  • the use of the subscription service-specific apparatus, i.e., the image forming apparatus 200, and/or consumables is typically restricted.
  • the use of the subscription service-specific cartridge is restricted in executing a job involving printing.
  • the use of a normal cartridge in executing a job involving printing is not restricted. Execution of a job not involving printing is not restricted, either.
  • a restriction is limitedly put on execution of a job using the subscription service-specific cartridge covered by the service because the image forming apparatus main body 300 is purchased by the user.
  • restrictions are not put on execution of a print job using the normal cartridge not covered by the service and execution of a job using a scan function (operation) or a FAX function (operation) not involving printing.
  • the contract information about the subscription service indicates the main body-included subscription service when the service use condition is unachieved
  • execution of jobs involving printing execution of a job using the subscription service-specific cartridge and execution of a job using the normal cartridge
  • execution of jobs not involving printing are both restricted.
  • the main body-included subscription service covers the image forming apparatus main body 300 as well as the consumables, and thus restrictions are put on execution of all jobs covered by the service. Specifically, restrictions are put on execution of print jobs and execution of jobs using the scan function or the FAX function not involving printing.
  • the execution of jobs in the subscription service contract unconcluded state where no contract of any of the subscription services is concluded is restricted as in the case where the contract information about the subscription service indicates the consumable subscription service when the service use control is unachieved.
  • the subscription service contract unconcluded state where no contract of any of the subscription services is concluded refers to a state where the user has purchased the image forming apparatus 200 and not have the consumable subscription service contract.
  • Another case is where the user has the consumable subscription service contract but has not performed the processing for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 200 and the server 500.
  • Yet another case is where the user has the main body-included subscription service contract but has not performed processing for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 200, which is a delivered subscription service-specific apparatus, and the server 500.
  • a restriction is put on the use of the subscription service-specific cartridge in executing a job involving printing.
  • a restriction is not put on the use of a normal cartridge in executing a job involving printing.
  • Concluding a subscription service contract is processing in which the user concludes a contract for the subscription service using the host terminal 600, and the processing corresponds to steps S201 to S203 of Fig. 2 to be described below.
  • jobs involving printing jobs using the subscription service-specific cartridge or jobs using the normal cartridge
  • jobs not involving printing are both executed regardless of whether the subscription service is the consumable subscription service or the main body-included subscription service.
  • permission can be limitedly given to the use of the subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • permission can be given to both of the use of the normal cartridge and the user of the subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram in concluding a consumable subscription service contract.
  • step S201 the host terminal 600 transmits consumable subscription service contract information to the server 500.
  • the consumable subscription service contract information includes user information, identification information about the image forming apparatus 200 for use in the subscription service, and information about the subscription plan to make the contract for.
  • step S202 the server 500 registers (stores) information about the contract user and the image forming apparatus 200 in the service information storage unit 530 based on the contract information.
  • step S203 the server 500 returns a contract conclusion notification to the host terminal 600.
  • step S204 the server 500 transmits a consumable subscription service activation instruction to the image forming apparatus 200.
  • step S205 the server 500 transmits a notification of the upper limit number of offline printable sheets to the image forming apparatus 200.
  • step S206 the image forming apparatus 200 activates a consumable subscription service function and updates the upper limit number of offline printable sheets in response to steps S204 and S205.
  • the activation of the consumable subscription service function by the image forming apparatus 200 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 .
  • the upper limit number of offline printable sheets is a value stored in the data memory 330.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 updates the upper limit number of offline printable sheets with a notified parameter.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can perform print processing covered by the consumable subscription service by mounting the consumable subscription service-specific cartridge 400 on the image forming apparatus 200.
  • step S207 the image forming apparatus 200 returns an update completion notification to the server 500.
  • a sequence diagram for conclusion of a main body-included subscription service contract is similar to the foregoing.
  • the user concludes a contract for the main body-included subscription service using the host terminal 600 in step S201.
  • the user can receive the image forming apparatus main body 300 (for example, the image forming apparatus main body 300 is delivered) from the service provider.
  • step S301 the image forming apparatus 200 performs service contract information reception determination processing. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the service contract information is received via the communication control unit 340. In step S301, in a case where the image forming apparatus 200 has not received the service contract information (NO in step S301), the processing of this flowchart ends. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 has received the service contract information (YES in step S301), the processing proceeds to step S302.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 updates the parameter stored in the contract information storage unit 332 with the parameter of the received service contract information. For example, in a case where information indicating the consumable subscription service contract concluded state is received, the image forming apparatus 200 changes the parameter to the parameter indicating the consumable subscription service contract concluded state.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 directly receives the service contract information from the server 500.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can receive the service contract information via the host terminal 600. In such a case, the host terminal 600 receives the service contract information from the server 500, and the image forming apparatus 200 receives the service contract information via software or an application of the host terminal 600.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 performs the mountability determination processing on the cartridge 400 via the connection unit 370 at a given timing.
  • the given timing include the timing of when the user performs processing for mounting the cartridge 400 on the image forming apparatus 200, and the timing of when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the service contract information via the communication control unit 340.
  • step S401 the image forming apparatus 200 reads the first to third cartridge information from the memory 410 of the cartridge 400 via the connection unit 370.
  • step S402 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the cartridge 400 is a subscription service-specific cartridge, based on the third cartridge information. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the cartridge 400 is not a subscription service-specific cartridge (NO in step S402), the processing of this flowchart ends. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the cartridge 400 is a subscription service-specific cartridge (YES in step S402), the processing proceeds to step S403.
  • step S403 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the subscription service contract unconcluded state. In a case where, in step S403, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 does not indicate the subscription service contract unconcluded state (i.e., indicates the consumable subscription service contract concluded state or the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state; NO in step S403), the processing of this flowchart ends. In a case where, in step S403, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the subscription service contract unconcluded state (YES in step S403), the processing proceeds to step S404.
  • step S404 the image forming apparatus 200 performs error processing.
  • An example of the error processing in step S404 is processing for putting restrictions on operations other than detachment of the cartridge 400. This processing is for a case where the subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted despite the state that no contract of any of the subscription services is concluded. Examples include a case where the image forming apparatus main body 300 does not have any contract after cancellation of a subscription service, and the user has not returned the subscription service-specific cartridge to the service provider yet and the subscription service-specific cartridge is still mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 300.
  • the foregoing processing is performed on all the cartridges 400 mounted. While, in the mountability determination processing, the third cartridge information about the consumable subscription service-specific cartridge 400 and the third cartridge information about the main body-included subscription service-specific cartridge 400 are described to contain the same parameter, the pieces of third cartridge information can contain different parameters. In such a case, the image forming apparatus 200 determines, in the mountability determination processing, whether the third cartridge information and the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 properly correspond to each other.
  • the jobs of the image forming apparatus 200 to be restricted when the service use condition is unachieved are different between the consumable subscription service and the main body-included subscription service.
  • the restrictions are limitedly put on print jobs using the service-specific consumable when the service use condition is unachieved.
  • the main body-included subscription service since the image forming apparatus main body 300 used in the main body-included subscription service is also specific to the service, the restrictions are put on the use of some of the main body functions of the image forming apparatus 200 as described above. For example, restrictions are put on not only jobs involving a print operation, like a print job, but also jobs not involving a print operation, like a scan job and a FAX reception job.
  • the user has been unable to use a single image forming apparatus for the main body-included subscription service and then the consumable subscription service in a switched manner.
  • some users may want to purchase a subscription service-specific image forming apparatus lent under the main body-included subscription service contract from the service vendor as their own possession after the expiration of the contract period. Such users may then desire a consumable subscription service contract after the purchase of the image forming apparatus.
  • the service provider manufacturing the image forming apparatuses separately produce consumable subscription service-specific image forming apparatuses and main body-included subscription service-specific image forming apparatuses, which can take a lot of labor and cost.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 switches processing based on the information indicating which service contract has been concluded. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 puts different restrictions on job execution based on the information indicating whether the contract mode refers to the consumable subscription service, the main body-included subscription service, or the subscription service contract unconcluded state. With this configuration, on an image forming apparatus 200, different job execution restrictions can be put in accordance with the subscription service contract unconcluded state, the consumable subscription service contract concluded state, and the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state.
  • the service provider manufacturing the image forming apparatuses 200 does not need to separately produce consumable subscription service-specific image forming apparatuses 200 and main body-included subscription service-specific image forming apparatuses 200, whereby labor and cost can be reduced.
  • Fig. 5 is a flowchart of job execution processing that is performed by the image forming apparatus 200.
  • step S501 the image forming apparatus 200 accepts a job execution instruction from the user by using a certain method.
  • a print execution instruction for example, the image forming apparatus 200 accepts the pressing of a print start button.
  • step S502 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the consumable subscription service contract concluded state. In a case where, in step S502, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information indicates the consumable subscription service contract concluded state (YES in step S502), the processing proceeds to step S503. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information does not indicate the consumable subscription service contract concluded state (NO in step S502), the processing proceeds to step S504.
  • step S503 the image forming apparatus 200 performs processing for the consumable subscription service contract concluded state to be described below with reference to Fig. 6 .
  • step S504 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state. In a case where, in step S504, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information indicates the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state (YES in step S504), the processing proceeds to step S505. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information does not indicate the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state (i.e., the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the subscription service contract unconcluded state; NO in step S504), the processing proceeds to step S506.
  • step S505 the image forming apparatus 200 performs processing for the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state to be described below with reference to Fig. 7 .
  • step S506 the image forming apparatus 200 executes the execution-instructed job. As illustrated in Fig. 4 , the image forming apparatus 200 is unable to execute a job in the subscription service contract unconcluded state with the subscription service-specific cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus 200. Jobs to be executed in step S506 are thus limited to jobs using a normal cartridge other than the subscription service-specific cartridge or with the normal cartridge mounted.
  • Fig. 6 is a flowchart related to job execution in the case where the image forming apparatus 200 is in the consumable subscription service contract concluded state. Details of the processing in step S503 of Fig. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 .
  • step S601 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the execution-instructed job is a job involving a print operation. In a case where, in step S601, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the execution-instructed job is a job involving a print operation (YES in step S601), the processing proceeds to step S602. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the execution-instructed job is not a job involving a print operation (NO in step S601), the processing proceeds to step S603.
  • step S602 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether a subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus 200, based on the third cartridge information.
  • a plurality of cartridges 400 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 determines that a subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted in a case where one or more of the cartridges 400 is/are a subscription service-specific cartridge(s).
  • the processing proceeds to step S603.
  • the processing proceeds to step S604.
  • step S603 the image forming apparatus 200 executes the job.
  • the processing of this flowchart ends.
  • step S604 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the image forming apparatus 200 is offline. Specifically, the communication control unit 340 performs the determination based on information indicating whether the image forming apparatus 200 is offline. In a case where, in step S604, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the image forming apparatus 200 is online (NO in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S605. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the image forming apparatus 200 is offline (YES in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S608.
  • step S605 the image forming apparatus 200 resets the recorded number of sheets printed offline to zero (0).
  • the number of sheets printed offline refers to the number of sheets printed using the subscription service-specific cartridge with the image forming apparatus 200 being offline.
  • the number of sheets printed offline is a value recorded in the data memory 330 and has an initial value of zero (0).
  • step S606 the image forming apparatus 200 prints one of the pages of the job.
  • step S607 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether all the pages specified by the job have been printed. In a case where, in step S607, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that all the pages have not been printed (NO in step S607), the processing returns to step S604. In a case where, in step S607, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that all the pages have been printed (YES in step S607), the processing proceeds to step S612.
  • step S608 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the number of sheets printed offline exceeds the upper limit number of offline printable sheets. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 compares the information indicating the upper limit number of offline printable sheets obtained in step S205 of Fig. 2 with the information indicating the number of sheets printed offline. In a case where, in step S608, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the number of sheets printed offline does not exceed the upper limit number of offline printable sheets (NO in step S608), the processing proceeds to step S609. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the number of sheets printed offline exceeds the upper limit number of offline printable sheets (YES in step S608), the processing proceeds to step S611.
  • step S609 the image forming apparatus 200 prints one of the pages of the job.
  • step S610 the image forming apparatus 200 increments the number of pages printed offline by one (1).
  • the processing proceeds to step S607.
  • step S611 the image forming apparatus 200 stops (aborts) the print processing.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can issue an error notification to the user depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • an error notification can be displayed on a display unit (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • step S612 the image forming apparatus 200 generates a print record log.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 transmits the generated print record log to the server 500 via the communication control unit 340 at the timing of step S612 or at timing of when the image forming apparatus 200 is online and its operation will not be affected.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 resets the number of sheets printed offline after the transmission of the print record log.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 stores the print record log in the data memory 330.
  • the reason why the image forming apparatus 200 generates the print record log and transmits the generated print record log to the server 500 is for the service provider to find out the amount of printing in the subscription service.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 thus can perform additional processing that is for not generating a print record log and is for preventing printed sheets from being counted in the subscription service when printing is performed during a job involving a print operation not because of the user but, for example, for the sake of a maintenance print for nozzle check.
  • the print processing is stopped in step S611 without printing a page in step S604 or S608, the image forming apparatus 200 does not need to generate a print recording log in step S612. In other words, in this flowchart, step S612 can sometimes be omitted.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart related to job execution in the case where the image forming apparatus 200 is in the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state. Details of the processing in step S505 of Fig. 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 . Here, differences from the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 6 will mainly be described and the redundant descriptions will be omitted.
  • step S701 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether a subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus 200. Like step S602, a plurality of cartridges 400 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 200. In such a case, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that a subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted in a case where one or more of the cartridges 400 is/are a subscription service-specific cartridge(s). In a case where, in step S701, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that a subscription service-specific cartridge is mounted (YES in step S701), the processing proceeds to step S702. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that a subscription service-specific cartridge is not mounted (NO in step S701), the processing proceeds to step S705.
  • step S702 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the execution-instructed job is a job involving a print operation. In a case where, in step S702, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the execution-instructed job is not a job involving a print operation (NO in step S702), the processing proceeds to step S703. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the execution-instructed job is a job involving a print operation (YES in step S702), the processing proceeds to step S706.
  • step S703 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the number of sheets printed offline exceeds the upper limit number of offline printable sheets. In a case where, in step S703, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the number of sheets printed offline does not exceed the upper limit number of offline printable sheets (NO in step S703), the processing proceeds to step S704. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the number of sheets printed offline exceeds the upper limit number of offline printable sheets (YES in step S703), the processing proceeds to step S705.
  • step S704 the image forming apparatus 200 executes the job.
  • the processing of this flowchart ends.
  • step S705 the image forming apparatus 200 restricts job execution.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can issue an error notification to the user depending on the configuration of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • an error notification can be displayed on the display unit (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the processing of steps S706 to S714 is similar to that of steps S604 to S612 in the flowchart of Fig. 6 , and thus the descriptions will be omitted.
  • step S701 the processing can proceed to step S703. In other words, the job can be executed unless the upper limit of the number of sheets printed offline is exceeded.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 switches processing based on the information about which service is contracted. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 imposes different job execution restrictions, based on the information indicating whether the state of the contract is the subscription service contract unconcluded state, the consumable subscription service contract concluded state, or the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state. This enables an image forming apparatus 200 to support various job execution restrictions in accordance with the subscription service contract unconcluded state, the consumable subscription service contract concluded state, and the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state.
  • the user applies for the main body-included subscription service contract using the host terminal 600, and receives the contract concluded notification.
  • the user can then receive the image forming apparatus main body 300 from the service provider (for example, the image forming apparatus main body 300 is delivered from the service provider to the user).
  • the user then completes the connection processing between the server 500 and the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the subscription service contract unconcluded state in which neither of the subscription service contracts is concluded refers to a state in which the user has purchased the image forming apparatus 200 and does not have a consumable subscription service contract.
  • Another case is that the user has the consumable subscription service contract but has not performed the processing for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 200 and the server 500.
  • Yet another case is that the user has the main body-included subscription service contract but has not performed the processing for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 200, which has been delivered as a subscription service-specific apparatus, and the server 500. In such cases, restrictions are not put on the use of the subscription service-specific cartridge during execution of a job involving printing, the use of the normal cartridge during execution of a job involving printing, and the execution of a job not involving printing.
  • an image forming apparatus 200 is considered to be in the subscription service contract unconcluded state (referred to as a second subscription service contract unconcluded state) in a case where the user has the main body-included subscription service contract but has not performed the processing for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 200 and a server 500.
  • information stored in a contract information storage unit 332 also includes information indicating the subscription service contract unconcluded state.
  • a restriction is also put on execution of jobs other than jobs using the subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • restrictions are put on execution of jobs involving printing (execution of a job using the subscription service-specific cartridge and that of a job using the normal cartridge) and execution of jobs not involving printing.
  • This can reduce execution of job data in the case where the user has the main body-included subscription service contract but has not connected the image forming apparatus 200 to the server 500.
  • the processing according to the present embodiment is intended to restrict execution of the print processing using the subscription service-specific cartridge and processing of jobs not involving printing as well since the use of the image forming apparatus 200 by the user is one of the services covered by the main body-included subscription service.
  • the present embodiment deals with a mode where the image forming apparatus 200 stores ownership information about an image forming apparatus main body 300 and imposes job execution restrictions in accordance with the concluded subscription service contract based on the ownership information and the subscription service contract information.
  • the ownership information is information indicating which of the user and the service provider has the ownership of the image forming apparatus main body 300.
  • the initial value of the ownership information is the user.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 is in the consumable subscription service contract concluded state or the image forming apparatus 200 purchased by the user has not connected to the server 500.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 is in the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state or the image forming apparatus 200 is in the second subscription service contract unconcluded state. Since the initial value of the ownership information is the user, the service provider updates the ownership information about the image forming apparatus main body 300 to be lent to the user to the service provider in advance by using a dedicated personal computer (PC) tool when the main body-included subscription service contract is concluded, for example.
  • PC personal computer
  • step S801 the image forming apparatus 200 performs change determination processing on the ownership information about the image forming apparatus main body 300. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether an ownership information change instruction is received via the communication control unit 340. In a case where, in step S801, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the image forming apparatus 200 has not received the ownership information change instruction (NO in step S801), the processing of this flowchart ends. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the image forming apparatus 200 has received the ownership information change instruction (YES in step S801), the processing proceeds to step S802.
  • step S802 the image forming apparatus 200 updates the parameter stored in the data memory 330 with the parameter of the received ownership information.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 receives the ownership information change instruction from the dedicated PC tool as described above.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can receive the ownership information change instruction from the server 500, in consideration of a case where the user purchases the image forming apparatus main body 300 that is subscription service-specific and has been lent under the main body-included subscription service contract after the expiration of the contract period.
  • the host terminal 600 can receive the ownership information change instruction from the server 500, and the image forming apparatus 200 can receive the ownership information change instruction via software or an application of the host terminal 600.
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart where the image forming apparatus 200 performs job execution processing.
  • differences from the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 5 according to the first embodiment will mainly be described, and the redundant descriptions will be omitted.
  • step S901 the image forming apparatus 200 accepts a job execution instruction from the user by using a given method.
  • step S902 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the consumable subscription service contract concluded state. In a case where, in step S902, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information indicates the consumable subscription service contract concluded state (YES in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S903. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information does not indicate the consumable subscription service contract concluded state (NO in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S904.
  • step S903 the image forming apparatus 200 performs processing for the consumable subscription service contract concluded state to be described below with reference to Fig. 10 .
  • step S904 the image forming apparatus 200 determines whether the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 332 indicates the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state. In a case where, in step S904, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information indicates the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state (YES in step S904), the processing proceeds to step S905. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the contract information does not indicate the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state (NO in step S904), the processing proceeds to step S906.
  • step S905 the image forming apparatus 200 performs processing for the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state to be described below with reference to Fig. 11 .
  • step S906 the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the ownership information stored in the data memory 330 and determines whether the user has the ownership of the image forming apparatus main body 300. In a case where, in step S906, the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the user has the ownership (YES in step S906), the processing proceeds to step S907. In a case where the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the user does not have the ownership (NO in step S906), the processing proceeds to step S908.
  • step S907 the image forming apparatus 200 executes the received job. This processing is similar to that of step S506.
  • step S908 the image forming apparatus 200 restricts execution of jobs involving printing (execution of a job using the subscription service-specific cartridge and execution of a job using the normal cartridge) and execution of jobs not involving printing.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can thus put restrictions on job execution on the image forming apparatus main body 300 of which ownership is on the service provider (i.e., the image forming apparatus main body 300 is the main body-included subscription service-specific apparatus) in the subscription service contract unconcluded state.
  • Fig. 10 is a flowchart related to the job execution in a case where the image forming apparatus 200 is in the consumable subscription service contract concluded state. Details of the processing in step S903 of Fig. 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 . Here, differences from the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 6 according to the first embodiment will mainly be described, and the redundant descriptions will be omitted.
  • step S 1001 the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the ownership information stored in the data memory 330, and determines whether the user has the ownership of the image forming apparatus main body 300.
  • step S1001 the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the user does not have the ownership (NO in step S1001)
  • the processing proceeds to step S1002.
  • step S1003 the processing proceeds to step S1003.
  • step S1002 the image forming apparatus 200 restricts job execution. This processing corresponds to a case where the ownership information indicates that the service provider has the ownership, for some reason, despite the fact that the consumable subscription service is a service using the image forming apparatus main body 300 of which ownership is on the user (i.e., purchased by the user).
  • steps S1003 to S1014 is similar to that of steps S601 to S612 in the flowchart of Fig. 6 , and thus the redundant descriptions will be omitted.
  • Fig. 11 is a flowchart related to job execution in a case where the image forming apparatus 200 is in the main body-included subscription service contract concluded state. Details of the processing in step S905 of Fig. 9 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 . Here, differences from the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 7 according to the first embodiment will mainly be described, and the redundant description will be omitted.
  • step S1101 the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the ownership information stored in the data memory 330, and determines whether the user has the ownership of the image forming apparatus main body 300.
  • step S1101 the image forming apparatus 200 determines that the user has the ownership (YES in step S1101)
  • the processing proceeds to step S1106.
  • step S1106 the image forming apparatus 200 restricts job execution. This processing corresponds to a case where the ownership information indicates that the user has the ownership, for some reason, despite the fact that the main body-included subscription service is a service using the image forming apparatus main body 300 of which ownership is on the service provider (i.e., lent by the service provider).
  • steps S1102 to S1115 is similar to that of steps S701 to S714 in the flowchart of Fig. 7 , and thus the redundant descriptions will be omitted.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 stores the ownership information about the image forming apparatus main body 300, and performs a job execution determination appropriate for the service contract by using the ownership information and the service contract information.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can thus impose different job execution restrictions based on determination of which subscription service the image forming apparatus 200 is intended for, even in the subscription service contract unconcluded state.
  • the number of sheets printed offline is used to record the amount of printing performed offline by the image forming apparatus 200 using the subscription service-specific cartridge.
  • any one or two or more of amounts of printing such as a printed area and the amount of ink discharged from the cartridge 400 can be used to determine the amount of printing performed offline using the subscription service-specific cartridge, aside from the number of sheets printed.
  • the server 500 transmits the upper limit value(s) of offline printing for the corresponding amount(s) of printing (for example, the upper limit of offline printable area and the upper limit of offline dischargeable ink amount) to the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 then stores the received upper limit value(s) of printing in the data memory 330.
  • the condition for determining that the image forming apparatus 200 does not achieve the service use condition is that the offline printed amount on the image forming apparatus 200 reaches the specified upper limit value.
  • any one or two or more of parameters such as the number of times of offline job execution and the number of print record logs stored in the data memory 330 (number of logs to be transmitted to the server 500) can be used as the condition for determination of not achieving the service use condition, aside from the offline printed amount.
  • the server 500 transmits the upper limit value(s) of the corresponding parameter(s) (such as the upper limit number of times of offline job execution and the upper limit number of stored print record logs) to the image forming apparatus 200.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 then stores the received upper limit value(s) in the data memory 330.
  • the image forming apparatus 200 can determine that the service use condition is not achieved, regardless of the offline printed amount or the offline state parameters.
  • step S608 in Fig. 6 and steps S703 and S710 in Fig. 7 can be omitted.
  • the functions of the foregoing embodiments do not necessarily need to be implemented by a computer reading and executing program code.
  • An OS running on the computer may perform part or all of the actual processing based on instructions of the program code, and the functions of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by the processing.
  • Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s).
  • computer executable instructions e.g., one or more programs
  • a storage medium which may also be referred to more fully as
  • the computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions.
  • the computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium.
  • the storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD) TM ), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

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JP2018056761A (ja) * 2016-09-28 2018-04-05 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置、画像形成システムおよび画像形成方法
JP2021110775A (ja) 2020-01-07 2021-08-02 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成システム、サーバ、画像形成装置および管理方法
US20210306516A1 (en) * 2020-03-31 2021-09-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus configured to communicate with network and capable of managing number of print pages

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JP2022086740A (ja) * 2020-11-30 2022-06-09 ブラザー工業株式会社 印刷装置および印刷システム
JP2023162558A (ja) * 2022-04-27 2023-11-09 キヤノン株式会社 印刷システム、印刷装置、制御方法、および、プログラム
US11991330B2 (en) * 2022-10-03 2024-05-21 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Server, communication system, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable instructions for server and control method for server

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US20180076952A1 (en) * 2016-09-14 2018-03-15 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Image processing apparatus, control system, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium
JP2018056761A (ja) * 2016-09-28 2018-04-05 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成装置、画像形成システムおよび画像形成方法
JP2021110775A (ja) 2020-01-07 2021-08-02 ブラザー工業株式会社 画像形成システム、サーバ、画像形成装置および管理方法
US20210306516A1 (en) * 2020-03-31 2021-09-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image forming apparatus configured to communicate with network and capable of managing number of print pages

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